Be safe on the farm this summer

Summer is a busy time on the farm, but it’s also among the most hazardous periods for accidents, says WorkSafe NZ

Almost 550 farmers suffered injuries serious enough for them to take at least a week off work over the last summer (December 2017-February 2018) while there were three fatalities on farms.

Overall, trips, slips and falls, being hit or bitten by animals, hit by moving objects and incidents involving vehicles were the major causes of injuries, according to data from ACC.

“The summer is a hugely productive time for farmers, and a time when family and visitors are often on the farm too,” says Al McCone, WorkSafe’s Agricultural Lead.

“However, the statistics show that it is also a busy time for accidents, including the most serious. Our research has shown that there is almost always a vehicle involved when someone dies as a result of a farm accident at this time of year.

“We are encouraging farmers to focus on reducing the critical risk of working in and around farm vehicles. That includes taking a few minutes to think about the best vehicle for the job you or your workers are doing and the terrain you are going to be driving over.

“It’s thinking about the locations of ditches, slopes or furrows. That might mean going back to the shed to switch vehicles, or going on foot.”

Operator protective devices, like roll over protection and the use of seat belts in vehicles are key areas farmers can reduce the likelihood of an accident. Many tractor fatalities can be prevented by the driver wearing the seat belt.

“You should also always check around farm vehicles before reversing – that is especially important in summer with more children out and about on farms,” he says.

Sun exposure is also a major summer health and safety hazard for those working in the sector – and while the initial impact of sunburn might be some discomfort, the long-term effects can be deadly.

New Zealand has the highest overall melanoma skin cancer rate in the world and past research has shown that one in four New Zealand farmers have suffered skin cancer.

Farmer, rugby legend and Safer Farms Ambassador Richard Loe says he has changed his behaviours around sun safety and is urging other farmers to follow suit.

“Sun safety really isn’t onerous,” he says. “It’s as simple as slipping on a shirt with long sleeves and wearing a hat with a wide brim or a cap with flaps – more people get sunburned on the face and neck than any other part of the body.

“Slop on plenty of sunscreen at least 20-minutes before going out, use at least SPF 30 and take the bottle with you and reapply every couple of hours – especially if you’ve been doing sweaty work.

“If you’ve got jobs you can do in shade or under cover, plan them for the middle of the day, when the sun’s UV levels are higher – and the exposed jobs for early or later. And don’t forget to protect your eyes from UV radiation – with wrap-round sunglasses with a good sun protection rating.”

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